Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday will initiate the first blasting for construction related work at the 14.15 km Zojila tunnel that will provide all-year connectivity between Srinagar valley and Leh, the government said.
The project holds strategic significance as Zojila Pass is situated at an altitude of 11,578 feet on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway and remains closed during winters due to heavy snowfall. At present it is one of the most dangerous stretches in the world to drive a vehicle and this project is also geo-strategically sensitive.
The Ministry of Road Transport, Highways (RTH) said Gadkari will initiate the first blasting for Zojila Tunnel in J&K on Thursday.